Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been branded the “most out of touch PM in history” by social media commenters after he posted a selfie with Australian musicians Budjerah and Lime Cordiale.
Mr Albanese has come under increasing scrutiny in the past several months due to his handling of the cost of living crisis.
High inflation and interest rates have pushed up prices significantly, leaving many households struggling to make ends meet.
So when the Prime Minister posted a selfie to Twitter, now X, on Wednesday evening captioned “I love Aussie music. So when two of my Hottest 100 picks, Budjerah and Lime Cordiale, came to Canberra I couldn’t miss a chance to say hello!” many Australians took to the comments to express their displeasure.
“Correction. You couldn’t miss a chance to use your position as PM to get another photo op,” one commenter wrote.
“Do you actually do anything aside from taking selfies?” another demanded.
“That’ll help with the cost of living crisis for Australians, you’re the most out of touch PM in history,” said a third.
Others accused Mr Albanese of “destroying our livelihoods,” while some wondered when the Prime Minister would “announce Australia is in recession.”
Despite the government this week seeking to highlight its $7.8 billion cost of living relief package from the May budget, another rise in inflation last month has put Mr Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers under intense scrutiny.
According to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday, prices rose again from 3.6 to four per cent in May, with housing, food and transport costs all rising to put yet more pressure on household budgets.
Electricity prices also rose again, up 6.5 per cent in the 12 months to May, which the government will likely argue highlights the need for its new $300 energy rebate.
However, that discount is set to be rolled out over the course of 12 months from July 1, in the form of four $75 offsets delivered once per quarter, which could mean some Australians feel less impact than others if prices continue to hike.
Another concern for households is the potential for a fresh interest rate hike in August, with the Reserve Bank having already considered that possibility in its last meeting.
Core inflation, the RBA’s preferred measure and the one it uses to assess the need for hikes, was at four per cent in May, still well above the bank’s two to three target range.
With RBA assistant governor Christopher Kent on Wednesday revealing many Australians were already being forced to sell their homes in order to ensure they can pay off debt, a further hike could tip thousands more into perilous financial waters and see many more angry comments lobbed toward the Albanese government.